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Installation Instructions
160 South Industrial Blvd. Technical Services Department
Calhoun, Georgia 30701 508 East Morris St.
Dalton, Georgia 30721
www.mohawkgroup.com 800.833.6954
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Carpet Installation Check off List
Please Note
1. Asbestos-containing floor tiles, any adhesive possibly containing asbestos, or other
asbestos- containing floor coverings require special preparation, handling, and removal
procedures. Consult the appropriate local or state authorities or the Resilient Floor
Covering Institute before disturbing any suspected asbestos-containing material.
2. Installation of Mohawk Group’s modular carpet on a floor outside the scope of the
guidelines in this document will void all applicable warranties.
3. The Mohawk Group is not responsible for any product failure due to improper floor
preparation and/or installation procedures. The required adhesives are Mohawk Group’s
family of adhesives.
4. When installing carpet tiles over raised access floor panels, start installation by overlapping
the access panel joints to prevent the seams of the tiles from lining up with the access
1. Newly poured concrete floors generally will take 30 day
not exceed 5 lbs. /1000sf per 24 hours or 80% relative humidity as determined by current
ASTM standards. If the results are more than 5 lbs. or higher than 80% RH, do not proceed
with the installation. NOTE: EcoFlex NXT® carpet tiles installed using the FlexLok®
tabs can be used for installations up to 99% RH. Gypcrete or substrates with excessive
dust must be cleaned, and then primed with an approved primer such as a latex milk
additive.
2. The floor and room temperature must be acclimated by maintaining the temperature at 65°F
and 85° F, and the humidity between 30% and 65%, for at least 48 hours before and during
installation. In addition, the carpet and adhesive should be stored under these conditions for
at least 24 hours before installation. The installation site must be acclimated with HVAC in
operation.
3. When the installation is complete, the jobsite must be maintained at normal service
temperature and humidity.
4. Pre-existing adhesive must be 90% removed to have only trace amounts of adhesive
showing (10% or less of the old adhesive showing on the subfloor) or hand scrape /
mechanically sand smooth and apply Optiseal prior to any installation of Mohawk Group’s
modular carpet. Any cut back should be scraped smooth and sealed as well. See note #1.
5. Mechanically remove all wax, dirt, grease and paint. DO NOT use solvents to clean the
floor. DO NOT use oil based sweeping compounds. Fill cracks more than 1/16” wide with a
Portland or cement based patching compound. The floor must be flat to within 1/8” in 10
feet. Use leveling compound when required. Patched areas may need to be primed (consult
patch manufacture for requirements) with an approved primer. DO NOT install over resin or
silicate based curing compounds.
6. Inspect all carpet prior to cutting and contact your sales representative before installing the
carpet if you discover any problems. No claims will be allowed for visible defects after the
carpet has been cut and installed.
7. Never cut carpet over carpet as this can result in over penetration of the blade and cutting
loops on the lower carpet.
8. Carpet should be protected from heavy traffic and construction dust with a non-staining
building material paper. Never use plastic sheeting as it will trap moisture and prevent
proper curing of the adhesive. Plastic may also leave residues that can result in rapid
soiling after removal.
9. If any of the above conditions are not attainable, contact Mohawk Group Technical Services
at 800-833-6954.
s per inch to cure. Moisture should
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panel joints. Additionally, all access panels should be sound, level and edges firmly
secured to the raised flooring pedestals.
Note:!When non-asbestos containing cut-back or any incompatible adhesive is present,
existing adhesive has evidence of plasticizer migration, or EcoFlex ICT (PVC) products are
being installed, the existing adhesive must be properly removed and Mohawk Group’s
OptiSeal must be applied over the adhesive residue. Chemical adhesive removers cannot be
used to remove old existing adhesives.
Site Layout
1. The starting point in a modular installation must be as near to the center of the room as
possible and must be positioned to utilize the largest perimeter cut module size.
2. Snap a chalk line parallel to one major wall bisecting the starting point. It will be necessary to
offset the center chalk line to assure perimeter modules will be at least half size.
3. A second chalk line must be snapped from the starting point at 90° to the first line. This can be
accomplished using a 6-8-10, or larger triangle, depending on the room size. (See Illustration
A) Meters or feet will be used to lie out the triangle in these proportions. Framing square can
also be used.
10’
6’
8’
Illustration A
Pallet and Box Sequencing
It is very important to install carpet tiles in the order they were manufactured. This is easily
accomplished by selecting pallets in sequential order.
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Tab Installation
1. Start from the intersection point in the center of the
floor with the 1st tile. Place a tab under each edge of
the tile at the corners leaving ¾ of the tab exposed.
2. Carefully slide the 2nd tile in place then firmly press
the tile into the tab.
3. Continue with the 3rd tile creating a stair step or
pyramid pattern, starting at the center point. Check to
ensure tiles are properly aligned at edges during the
installation. (See figure to right).
4. Place tabs under the edges of the 2nd and 3rd tile.
5. Continue with the stair step method until the entire area is completed.
6. Fit the tiles together by sliding them together, being careful not to trap face yarns between or
under the edges of the tile.
7. All carpet tiles must be rolled with a 75 lb. or 100 lb. roller.
Tab Placement
Chalk line 1
Chalk line 2
Starting Point
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Ashlar Formats
Brick Ashlar, 3-Step 8-Inch Offset
In the Ashlar installation formats, each row of carpet tiles is shifted 8 inches, either in a brick format or
vertically (see diagrams to the left). This is a three-step process, i.e. each successive row of tiles must
be offset one-third the length of the tile. It is not acceptable to shift the tiles only one-half the length of
the tiles (two-step process). This installation method maintains the random appearance of the carpet
tiles, eliminating line-on-line or dark-on-dark effects that can create a skewed look in the finished
installation.
Please Note: Carpet tile products installed in the Ashlar format will not have the same finished
appearance as the same product in a broadloom (12’ width).
Multi-Directional Format (Follow No Order)
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Tiles are to be placed without being concerned with the arrow direction (random). Mixing tiles
from various boxes during installation will further blend color and design elements. This process is
essential for achieving optimal aesthetics.
Cutting Border Tiles
Cuts are made from the back. Install border tiles by placing the tile face down exactly on top of the
last row of field tiles, keeping the arrows pointed in the same directions. This will be your cut tile.
Using another tile, butt it against the wall allowing it to lie on top of the tile that is to be cut. Using
this tile as a reference tile, score a line on the back of the tile that is to be cut. Cut the tile along the
reference line being careful not to cut through the installed tile below. Install the cut tile with the cut
edge along the wall. Use this same technique at doorways and other objects that must be cut
around. The EcoFlex NXT tile must have the backing cut slightly shorter by cutting the backing at a
slight angle. A transition strip must be used to protect any exposed edges.
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Large Rooms and Long Corridors
Any dimension over 100’ must have a 2’ wide band of Mohawk EnPress adhesive applied to the
floor with a 3/8” nap roller or a 1/16” x 1/32” x 1/32” trowel to help prevent the movement in the tile.
This should be done in equal dimensions proportionate to the overall length or width.
(EnPress PSA for ICT tiles and EnPress NXT for NXT tiles)
Stairs
FlexLok is NOT recommended for stairs
Ramps and Inclines
FlexLok is NOT recommended for ramps, inclines or under heavy rolling loads. Mohawk PS
adhesives must be used in these areas.
Carpet over Carpet
FlexLok is NOT recommended for carpet over carpet installations.
Chair Pads
Chair pads are not required, but are recommended for use under chairs with roller casters. Casters
must be the flat round type with 5/8” to 1” width minimum. If chair pads are not used, the
appearance of the carpet tile will decrease. Maintenance and/or shifting of the modular tiles will be
required more frequently when pads are not used.
Replacement Tiles
Occasionally, it will be necessary to replace damaged or heavily soiled tiles. Tiles can be replaced
with on-site inventory or from another area of the installation. A difference of appearance will be
noticed when the tile is replaced, however, this difference usually diminishes in a short time. When
replacing tiles, a new tab must be used.
This information, offered as a customer service, is based on Mohawk Group's engineering tests
and field experience. It is intended for installers with professional experience to be used at their
discretion and risk. The Mohawk Group does not guarantee results and assumes no liability in
connection with these installation instructions.
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